Dentofacial Orthopedics

Both Dr. Kevin Toms and Dr. Rodney Klima are specialists in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. While many people have heard of orthodontics, some may not be familiar with the dentofacial orthopedics part of the title.

Every orthodontist is first a graduate of dental school. Some graduates immediately go into practice as dentists.

An ORTHODONTIST has pursued a specialty, which requires additional schooling during a two to three year residency program. There are nine specialties sanctioned by the American Dental Association. Some you are likely familiar with: Pediatric Dentistry (dentistry for children), Periodontics (dentistry focusing on the gums), and Oral Surgery.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is one of the nine specialties. Essentially, while orthodontics entails the management of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs during childhood and adolescence. Appliances are frequently used — the more familiar braces for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances like headgear and expanders depending on what facial abnormalities are present. Sometimes orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces, but often the two are accomplished at the same time. So if your child's treatment includes braces and headgear, he's actually undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

Being skilled in both areas, Dr. Toms and Dr. Klima are able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.